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Steep reductions proposed for USFS trails and recreation programs

From Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA)

The Forest Service is once again facing steep reductions to its trails and recreation programs and you have an opportunity to make a difference as Members of Congress always highly value input from those they represent.

We encourage you to take action by June 14, 2007. As you may know, you are a constituent of a Member of Congress on the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the US Forest Service budget, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. As such you can play a crucial role in maintaining funding for recreation and trails.

ARRA is urging citizens to visit the ARRA website and send the following letter to the Senate and House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies:

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As a constituent and a member of Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) I write to urge you to increase funding for the US Forest Service Recreation and Trails budgets. The President's proposed budget, which recommends decreasing Recreation by $29 million and Trails by $4 million as compared to last year simply would not provide adequate funding to provide for a quality recreation experience for the more than 200 million Americans who visit our National Forests each year. We believe that the FY 2008 Recreation and Trails budgets should be increased over last year's allocations by an amount that at least accounts for inflation.

Of particular concern is that adequate funding be available for the ongoing implementation of the Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use rule finalized by the USFS on November 9, 2005. The rule requires each National Forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicles. This will be a massive undertaking that will require individual forests and districts to undergo extensive processes to eventually produce a map that details where OHV use may occur. The President's proposal would not provide adequate funds to implement the rule and provide for other recreation and trail related priorities.

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